On Monday, the Islamic State (IS) terror group took responsibility for the devastating suicide bombing that occurred in Pakistan’s border district of Bajaur. The attack targeted an election rally on Sunday, resulting in the loss of 54 lives, including 23 children, with nearly 200 people wounded. The suicide attacker, reportedly affiliated with IS, detonated his explosive jacket amidst the crowd in the town of Khar, as mentioned in a statement by the armed group’s news arm, Amaq.
The tragic incident took place during an election rally hosted by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party, a significant government coalition partner led by hardline politician Fazlur Rehman. As approximately 400 JUI-F members and supporters awaited the start of speeches, the bomber activated the explosives-packed vest near the platform. Thankfully, Fazlur Rehman, who had previously survived two explosions at political rallies in 2011 and 2014, decided not to attend the gathering.
Following the attack, the police launched an investigation and filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), suspecting ISIS’s involvement in the suicide attack. Testimonies from the injured were collected, and authorities are exploring all aspects of the incident to ascertain the details and those responsible for this heinous act.
The incident has drawn international condemnation, with the United States, Russia, and Saudi Arabia expressing their condolences to the affected families. Pakistan has been grappling with an increase in extremist attacks since the collapse of a truce between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamabad last year. The recent UN Security Council report also suggested that the TTP might be seeking to join forces with Al Qaeda, forming a unified entity for militant organizations operating in South Asia.
While Pakistan continues to address cross-border militancy, it holds Afghanistan responsible for not fulfilling its promise to prevent its soil from being used for terrorism against Pakistan. The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for Pakistan to combat terrorism effectively.
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